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Reader Request: "I'm a 23 year old 5ft 90lb Asian girl who often gets mistaken for a 15 year old (or an 18 year old on a good day). Can you offer any fashion advice on how to look more your age? Specifically when it comes to casual clothes. I'm in grad school in the sciences and don't have the benefit of wearing nice professional clothes."

Being the approximate age and size of this reader, I set out to illustrate her situation. I put on my "grad student of the sciences" ensemble: sweatshirt, jeans, sneaks, and a curious face. I avoided makeup and pulled my hair back into a simple ponytail. I pictured my parents nodding vigorously in approval (their mantra is: a minute wasted on makeup, hair, or fashion is a minute that could've been better spent on studying). End result - below left.

To keep casual and grad school-appropriate (I'm picturing long treks across campus and hours studying in the library), I avoided high heels. I wouldn't call myself fashionable, so keep in mind these aren't tips to look more stylish, or taller - just more mature:

And although this isn't fashion advice - I feel that looking more mature or sophisticated truly starts at one's face. Asians, especially, tend to have young baby faces that can really be transformed with a little eyeliner, mascara (on curled lashes), and bronzer. The products I'm wearing can be found in my everyday makeup for beginners video. Huge difference:

You'd be surprised at how many people I see around Boston donning jorts (jean shorts), a graphic tee, and rubber flip flops. What could look acceptable on a normal sized woman, though, is devastatingly childish on a tiny petite. My tips for the casual "tee and shorts" outfit:

Low wedges and strappy sandals are my must-haves for summer. I love strolling around Boston, but I don't enjoy doing so tottering in heels or flopping around in rubber thongs. I've amassed several pairs of summer "walking shoes" from Macy's and Target at decent prices.

Hope you guys found this post somewhat helpful, or at the least - entertaining! I also hope I didn't offend any grad students. I have no idea how the reader in question dresses typically, so just gave it my best shot.

In the last 'before' picture, you look EXACTLY like one of my best friends in junior high school... in junior high school. I seriously had to do a double take... Amy??? LOL :)

These tips are spectacular. I'm in grad school myself and dress more like the "after" pictures and my friends all tease me for dressing up too much! Then again, they get asked what school they go to by high school boys on the bus, and I don't.

Now can you do a post on what to wear under a suit? I could use some new ideas...

This hits close to home. I was recently asked if I was here for the summer (I was shopping in a college town). I responded yes. LOL. Since I am in my 30's it is nice to be mistaken as a co-ed. Ha. A baby on the hip adds a few years. But in all seriousness, I think taking a little time to take care of yourself, putting on some make up and putting together a decent outfit will make all the difference in the world.

It's really amazing the difference slight tweeks in clothing can make! Love the before and after pics.

Since I'm also in the sciences, I can't wear high heels everyday, which are my weekend "look my age" weapon. So at work, my secret weapon are kitten heels! They are easy to walk in, give me a tiny bit of extra height, and look adult enough to keep me from being carded at the movies. =)

Bronzer really does enhance the look of any face, especially more fair skinned gals. I never made the connection before, but from your examples, I think it's the basics of looking your age!

You look much more mature, but still a young woman :) (you look great!) Sometimes when it's overdone, it just looks bad. I think really red lipstick makes a person look older.

I work in the accounting field, and I don't always dress up. Sometimes, I don't even wear makeup. I guess I occasionally look like someone who'd be getting ready to jump rope after work @ 5pm :p Someone in another dept even asked me how old I was when i went to work in (literally) jeans and t-shirt. Now, I try to sport mature-er looking pieces, such a cardigans and muted jewelry and embellished tops. I'll try that bronzer thing though :)

GOOD JOB!!! OMG this is so funny, I love the pics on the left! Totally takes me back to college and h.s. days of wearing A&F logo tees or the character tees! LOL @ "going to jumprope in park" ~ how cute!

The last outfit ~ LOOOOVE! Where are the sandals and shorts from??

I agree about walking around Boston. I pretty much only wear heels (unless it's cold enough to wear Uggs) so I struggled like a dumbass walking around Harvard Square and that area near Martha Stewart's house... the brick and unpaved roads are cute and all but UNPRACTICAL for wearing heels!!! Newbury St is like really the only safe place for that haha.

Can you do a post on keeping shirts tucked into pants? LOL not sure if there's a trick for that, but that's one thing that's always annoyed me about wearing pants, so I avoid it entirely and just tuck into highwaisted skirts.

I definitely tend to look like the left side, especially with the hoodies! I'm trying tp phase them out currently though :P I guess it's okay for me to look like a college kid, since I actually am one ^^

I was discussing w/ Janice and I figured out that I didn't get too caught up in the tshirt/hoodie period when I was younger b/c I wore uniforms through elementary/jr high/hs so whenever I went shopping I would buy more "dressy" clothes for the weekend. I think my fashionable mom helped as well (thank goodness!)

Also, I just found some pretty cognac sandals after seeing your previous posts (Bandolino Fortunatas)! I am currently breaking them in for my trip to LA (painful!)

I love this post! The asian parents mantra made me laugh because it's so true. and "jorts" is a new one on me haha I love it. The "before" and "after" shots truly show how small changes like how one wears her hair and some makeup can make a petite girl look more mature. I think you did a fantastic job with this reader request. You're so thorough and make a lot of great points. Not to mention, you look really polished and put together. I love the casual weekend outfit, it's simple but chic; I love your mom's sandals haha. Great job babe!

I'm not tiny, but I am very thin, and well into my 30s I was mistaken for someone much younger. I'm too old for that to happen much now, but I still sometimes get called "honey" if the light isn't good! I need to work at dressing like a grown up, and I think this is a great, helpful post. Thank you.

So true! Great post. I've thought about these style elements in bits and pieces but haven't seen it written anywhere! Thanks for the tips. I've just started following your blog because it's so informative! Looking forward to future posts :)

Thanks for the post! I was the reader who asked and you actually definitely hit the mark on how grad students dress, lol. The before and after pictures really show how styling goes a long way. Thanks for sharing and I'm definitely going to put these tips into practice!

This is a really great guide. I don't need help in this area, as I'm 5'4", but I do notice that when I wear sweats, dress down and tie my hair back, people assume I'm younger than when I wear a little makeup

This is a great post. I just finished grad school, but I waited to go back when I was 31, so I deliberately had to try dress younger to fit in with everyone else (I still look younger, but I couldn't wear my 'teacher clothes' to the lab).I laugh at the other grad students who do not seem to own any clothes that are not logo t-s, athletic attire and flip flops. We did a professional photo shoot for our lab group and the others did not have any appropriate clothes for the photographs. I had to lecture them on the importance of having one good pair of shoes.As for being mistaken for a preteen - I was in a cycling race this weekend and as we were lining up one of the officials freaked out and said "there's a junior lined up with the pro women" and then he walked up to me and demanded if I was indeed in the correct field "Are you a pro?". I was like 'yeah, I am. I'm 33. I've been racing for 12 years. I think I know which field to race in.'

It's basically impossible for me to look my age at bike races - helmet, sunglasses and lycra destroy any chances of looking fashionable or mature.

Definitely good advice! I'm also a grad student in the sciences, so I know what it's like. The problem is that I work with all guys, so they make strange comments if I start to dress up. Also, due to foot problems, I have to wear sneakers because I need arch support.

Wow girl, that's quite an amazing post, I didn't realize what a difference you could make!!!

btw - I was in Boston last week and let me say, it's a beautiful city!! I was by the Harbor (it was quite dreary, but beautiful nonetheless), the view from the building I was in was stunning, I'll post the really crappy pics soon!

I love it! You have such a mischevious expression in that first before picture (must be your curious face!). And that's totally me in college (I even have pictures to prove it!). The 'after' pics are all stunning... especially the white tee and shorts... I love that look!

But other than to be taken seriously at work, I actually don't mind looking young for my age when I'm off duty (especially because hubby also looks young for his age). That is face-wise... but wardrobe-wise I definitely agree that the hoodie and tees days are be behind me at this age and I'm only slowly starting to learn what age-appropriate and stylish casual wear really means. Thanks for the tips and very helpful and entertaining post!

Fabulous post, PAG! The "before" looks are definitely very sad and boring looking. The "after" looks are certainly very sophisticated.

When I started my doctoral program I got rid of my backpack and invested in a notebook case to carry my laptop in. Backpacks are definitely for undergraduates and high schoolers heh. I was surprised to find that about 95% of my readings come from journal articles online.

OMG LOVE this post! You look admittedly adorable in the 'before pics' -- but some GREAT pointers on how to dress more age appropriate. Sometimes I want to steal you away as my personal fashion adviser LOL!

Also, isn't makeup amazing sometimes? :) And I love how you 'borrowed' shoes from Mom - I do that all the time too :)

What a fantastic and well-written post! I have only recently started to read your blog, but this was such a thoughtful post that I had to comment. I'm a 31 y/o petite Asian woman who likes to get away w/ wearing some kids clothing, but gets carded every time!

I'm actually going to law school this fall and was wondering if you had ideas on sophisticated non-backpack options? Someone else had mentioned a notebook case, but if you have any other ideas, I'd love to hear them!

Thank you for posting this!! So many petites have this issue and don't how to fix it! I learned this the hard way unfortunately =( DRESSING the part and wearing the make-up goes a loooong way. First time I DIDN't get mistaken for a 12-year-old I was surprised lol

Janice, my 2 cents as a law student: I really don't agree with the idea of ditching the backpack to look more put together. You REALLY don't want to compromise the health of your back; law books are really heavy. Unless you plan to do all your readings at school and never take your books home, you need the support! Everyone at law school knows that law books are heavy. It's better to look like a student during student hours than someone with unprofessional, bad posture during networking events.

The changes do make a huge difference. When I wear hoodies and logo brands, people think I'm 10, but when I'm more 'dressy' everyone assumes i'm older. I'm 17 and 5'0, but dressing up a bit can definitely pass me for 17+.

This is one of them most awesome, informative posts I've seen! The "curious face" photo is hilarious, hahaha. But you really know how to use make up to simply play up your features instead of changing how you look! And you've definitely mastered the art of dressing well and being casual. You look very comfortable but chic at the same time. Great job girl :D

Thank you everyone for the wonderful comments ... I really enjoyed reading them and had several good laughs.

Kerry - LOL! That's hilarious and I can totally picture it happening.

Daisy - nothing compares to sneakers in terms of comfort, but my Cole Haan Nike air flats are the closest I've found. They actually have a slight wedge with support.

Janice/Pauline - Janice I would say on "lighter load" days to carry a proportional tote. Longchamp works for me but that is too generic for some people's liking. Kate spade makes a lot of totes and I like some of Coach's plain leather ones. I agree with Pauline though, in the sense that nothing beats a backpack for your back. Messenger bags may distribute the weight a little, but nowhere near what a good backpack does! I carry 5+ lbs to work every day in a tote and I'm starting to feel the damage. Some of my coworkers do use rolly bags like Cynthia mentioned ... but I'm sure you don't want to go that route.

What a fantastic post! I get mistaken for 16 and under a LOT. The most recent story that comes to mind is when a flight attendant mistook me for an unaccompanied minor. And I was like nope...I'm 24 and married. Needless to say she was super embarrassed :p. I was incredibly amused though :).

Anyway, I was definitely guilty of dressing like your pics of the left until the beginning of this year. I always rationalized it to myself by saying that I dressed for comfort first but obviously comfort does not need to be lazy :). I've been updating my wardrobe bit and bit and I have to say, just putting a little bit more effort and thought into styling have made SUCH a difference in my look. I don't think I've gotten any questions about my age in a while and I feel great about how I look!

WOW! what a transformation! this is such a great and helpful post for all the petite women out there (excl. ME of course:P) But I'm really liking your tips because some of them apply to me. I get carded at the liquor store sometime when I wear jeans, a hoodie, and chucks. But seriously, who dresses up just to go to the liquor store? :D:D

ohhhhhhh my goodness your posts get better and better :) the transformations are so amazing! I think you look pretty without makeup too, but I can see how you look much older in the after pictures :) you've mastered the look of classy chic ;)

@Kristy: I wear my "normal" clothes to the liquor store, which usually consists of jeans, a cami, cardigan and wedges. I don't think I've been carded there since I was 25. Hoodies and jeans just cry "university student" to staff while cardis and jeans are more grown up.

This post is so timely for me! Last week, I was carded buying wine to cook with. I am in my mid-20s, but the man at the checkout said "I'm sorry, I just don't believe you" after I presented my ID. This week, I was outside wearing a hoodie and reading a book while my son was playing, and someone said "Babysitting, huh?"

I really appreciate that this post is focused on casual wear. I have nailed looking my age at work, but these tips are just what I need to look more mature in my free time!

I wasn't a reader when you did the five minute face video, but I just checked it out and I really love it.. I know you said you aren't a makeup expert or whatever, (I watch Michelle Phan and Holly Ann-Aeree, and a ton of others) but seeing how you did your face was SO helpful. Their looks are really nice, but too much for me. Minimal is best for every day. Thanks PAG! =]

And my parents and your parents would probably totally get along haha.

This is one of my favorite blog posts EVER! My husband has a baby face, so together we look like a happy junior high couple. XD I showed him this post and told him I want to raid your closet. LOL! You seriously have the best taste! I don't own anything but my (old) corporate clothes, scrubs, and sweats. When I run errands, I'm always in hoodies, gym pants, and Nikes. I need a new wardrobe, STAT!

I'm late, but I love love love this post and your humour! I am also an Asian grad student. I always dress up in a professional style to teach, which my fellow grad students make fun of me for doing, and even so I get asked by my undergrads, "Are you a junior or a senior?" And "What's your major?"

This is brilliant. Thank you for posting this! I didn't even realize that the "before" and "after" shots were the same person at first. Like everyone else on here, I'm tiny with a baby face. I get so sick of people saying "Oh, you'll be glad to look younger when you're 50!" I know they mean well, but it strikes me as sexist-- like for a woman it's more important to look young than to be taken seriously? Argh.

Love this post! I am 27. I notice I'm more likely to get carded at the liquor store/restaurants when wearing jeans than my nice work clothes. However, I work in a school district - and last year when I went in to the high school, the main office secretary asked me if I needed a pass to class. (Um, no, I work here).

When I was 21, and working as a counselor with 12-18 year olds at a shelter. One of the 15 year old girls staying there did not realize I worked there and asked me which room I was staying in! I'm pretty sure that was the moment I decided I would wear heels and get dressed up for work.

I always try to look older during work so that my clients will not look down on me, which I was able to achieved by putting on simple makeup (eyeliner + concealer + blusher) and dress professionally/modern.

great post! as a very petite med student i find myself feeling the same way. i can definitely waver between those two looks depending on the day! i'd say going for "neater" in general always helps with the age thing. you do such a great job looking mature without looking frumpy.

thank you!!! This is one of the best things I've found online about dressing "older." I'm 5'2", 100lb, and I'm so sick of being talked to as if I just went jump rope in the park. I've been getting a little more of a clue on how to dress more sophisticated, but this really helped me hone in on some details I was missing!

More posts like this! I'm a 20yo Asian who is dating an older man. I don't have his expensive lifestyle budget, but I make due with what I have. :) He thinks I'm cute, but I want to be beautiful and sexy. Please help! I will forever be carded and treated like a little girl...

This post is a must-see for any college grads navigating the weekend social scene or even summertime happy hour scene. (petite or not!)

I think a few hipster or menswear-inspired outfits can also lend maturity and sophistication to a weekend warrior.

Pairing a well-constructed, fitted blazer or thin sweater with well-tailored fitted jeans, cords, or slacks can amp up the maturity factor of an outfit.

Investing in a big girl purse--something structured and almost luggage-like, rather than cutesy and slouchy suggests a put-together and older woman.

Like other readers, I need to wear sneakers or flats due to a foot arch issue. Wearing fitted straight-leg or wide-leg work slacks or trousers with a fitted monochrome tee or acceptably adult-ish graphic tee works well with muted low-soled sneakers, flats, or ankle boots.

I recently swapped my chunky New Balances for a retro-looking, unobtrusive sleek pair of Pumas, and the maturity factor of my weekend outfits (as well as the coolness factor) went through the roof! Now I def look my age when I'm roaming the city or trolling the Farmer's Market on Saturdays.

This is such a great post! I am 26, 5 feet and am often assumed to be a teenager. I mean, at times it is flattering, but it also can get very annoying. I was at work a few years back, dressed up too (although I do not wear makeup or do my hair much) and was asked if I was there with my mom!You look great in the before and afters too.

just found your blog and you're absolutely hilarious. i totally relate! I'm a 23 year old petite graduate student and even when I try to look older I get these quips about my age all the time. Thanks for the tips!

I came across your blog while looking for extra extra small blazers. I love your blog... it touches on all the fashion issues that frustrate me. :p I'm Asian, 26, 4'11", and weigh 85 pounds. I often get mistaken for a 13 year old (and will often be able to fit into a 13 year old's clothes so I'm left with shirts and other simple tops). I find it very hard to find "mature" clothes in my size and I hate buying expensive clothes that don't fit me and risk having them altered wrong. What are your top shops for extra extra small clothes that are very affordable so I can build up my wardrobe? :)

This is a great post but I'm going to have to disagree that flared jeans make you look younger. Flared jeans with SNEAKERS make you look yuong, but with a pair of heels or wedgess, it makes all the difference.

LOVED IT I´m almost 25 but look around 19 or 20 and I´m bit tired of been talked to like a kid by people my own age. Do you have any advices for curly hair?? I wear it long and don´t really wanna cut it, so it would be great if you could recommend a fancy long hairstyle. I am quite short and thin but not really skinny

Whoohoohoohoo! I stumbled on this post & your keen fashion sense hit a bullseye on my habits of "s'habiller." The first picture especially is token of my default look (New Balance shoes, flared pants, bare face, sweatshirt or outdoor performance outerwear, and a t-shirt). You even have the phantom backpack hunch!

I'm a 23 year old, a wee under 1.5m, Asian woman with a gymnast body who gets marked as 12 year old by my younger sister's college friends. I intern/ fellow at environmental non- profits which means that sometimes my fashion for the field dips even below your sample.

Since my senior year in college (less lab time + a very caring, yet fashion conscious roommate), I've been slowly transitioning from slob to looking more put- together. My mom, sister, and aunts have all given me the talk of polishing my appearance. Finally, I started to absorb the value of their interventions-- taking care of your outward appearance is partially indicative of overall, healthy self- esteem.

Believe me, I've made progress. I don't wear billowy t-shirts from high school sports paired with basketball shorts over- sized cotton spandex (which can be interchanged with baggy khakis from Gap Kids (Boys section)). At least now, I ditched the basketball shorts over faded stretched out spandex combo. When I'm not outside, I've incorporated bright, earthy- feminine pieces into things I can throw on after I roll out of bed.

Still resisting the march towards looking grown- up and professional though.

Hi! I LOVE this post!!! I am mixed race, with a young looking face and I am also petite, 5'3' and 110lbs - I definitely find I have to put more effort into my casual clothes so I don't end up looking like a child. I am so envious of my girlfriends who can throw on jean shorts, t-shirts and flip flops and look awesome and their own age. And while I love heels, they just aren't always practical. So, great post! Thanks!

thank you so much for introducing me to the world of petite blogging! i can relate being a little under 5 ft myself (my drives license says 5'1 though ;-) and always being told i look like im 12/14 at my 22 yrs of age. these tips are really helpful to avoid future misconceptions!

I recently stumbled across your blog and I'm hooked on catching up on all your posts! When I wear the wrong clothes, people often think I'm 15. I am a college-grad working in my first professional full-time job (which I love) and it can be hard to find professional clothes that flatter my tiny frame. Thanks for being an inspiration to the petite women out there!

i love this... its so helpful... next time I go shopping I will keep this in mind. I may blog about my attempts to look older. What i'm getting from this is that it starts from hair and makeup. I never knew light washed jeans looked childish.

Looking younger than you actually are can be nice -- but there is such thing as looking TOO young! It's hard to be taken seriously when you look like you're 13. I'm always seeing things on the internet and in magazines that tell you how you can look younger -- and I'm like, if I look any younger, I'll look like I'm 8. Thanks, but no thanks.

Hi, I love your blog. I'm 4ft 8in, and not Asian, but I am short and petite, and wear size 5 shoes. I'm 47 years old now, but the advice still applies. If I'm not careful, I can still look like I am thirteen, though my face isn't as smooth anymore. I'm wondering if you would do a post on finding small shoes. Shoe shopping has left me crying in the store. My "old" feet can't wear heels anymore, but I'm not ready for "grandma" shoes. I'd love it if you'd add some companies that have size 5 shoes available.

And thanks! When I was younger I was looking all over for a site like yours, and you weren't old enough yet to have it up and running, and I wasn't brave enough to start my own sites. (Blogs didn't exist yet.)Barbara

Hello! Your tips are very good, but my problem is a bit different. As in I often get mistaken to be a middle schooler, when I'm a university student. Just this past Thursday, at a Thanksgiving dinner, an older lady thought I was about 12 or 13 years old. And I was wearing salmon colored skinny jeans, a black top with tiny flowers and dots printed on it, with two slits on both sides of the shirt going up a few inches (though showing no skin from underneath). My hair was half down and half up, held together by a black claw hair clip. I had on dark brown Ugg slip-ons. I was also wearing small rose earrings, a silver necklace, and a silver Anne Klein watch. I am 5' 4".

So I think the problem for me is my face, but I would really rather not put make-up on, as I find it terribly time-consuming, and a money eater. Is make-up really the only other option I have left though?

Hello! So i really wish there were more post like this. I am a 22 year old african-american girl and I will be graduating college soon. I am about 5 feet tall and 105 pounds. A while ago I was at church and we eat food after church and this random old man kept trying to give me more food telling me i needed to "eat so i will grow" and I found that extremely rude. That was a tangent that I felt like mentioning because I am annoyed about it but anyway... I need more tips on dressing older because wen doing job interviews and things i want to make a good first impression. I really wish you could come and shop with me and help me buy things lol. I also shop in jr's clothing alot but i feel like i shouldn't because i graduate next week lol.

Thank you so much for posting this! Although I am not 90 pounds, I am about 5 feet as well. As a 24 year old professional, it gets really annoying when you're the only one in your group of friends to get carded. I think I do a good job at my makeup, but maybe I'll watch some Youtube videos to make sure :)

Pictures are worth thousands of words. I'm 4' 11", 133 pounds -and 59. My daily 'uniform' is often hoodie, jeans, a solid color tee and sneakers. I want to dress more appropriately & with a personal style, but standing in a store faced with racks of clothes that aren't going to fit without tailoring has always been overwhelming. Your blog is giving me the tools to see the best choices for me out of all the possibilities and this well-thought-out post is particularly helpful. Thank you so very much.

"What could look acceptable on a normal sized woman, though, is devastatingly childish on a tiny petite."

Beautifully said! My taller friends just don't understand why I dress like I'm in my late 20's. They don't know he embarrassment of being confused with a 15 year old, or the rage in being undermined for percieved lack of experience.

this is so helpful i'm part Asian but very little and it affects me a lot. i have slightly hooded eyes very petite baby face.nothing fits me and people mistake me the youngest 10 and 18 on a good day. i work at a law firm and on causal Friday this one lady thought i was a lil kid she was like what are u doing here you work here ? its a total insult. i love my style i see people my age wearing the latest trends and when i wear them i look like a 14 year old.

I can so relate to this! I'm 5'1 and 105lbs at 22 years old. Needless to say to people think I'm around 15-18 too. I find that wearing makeup really does make you look older. And also as a petite girl, I always wear wedges/heels. They give me a boost of confidence and they make me look older. Another tip is to stick with basic colors and designs. I live in NYC so I stick with the whites, greys, blacks, khaki colors. It does make me blend in more.

Hello! I am so blessed to have found your blog. I am 5'0'' and wear a size 0. I am also in graduate school in the sciences. It can be difficult to be taken seriously when you are a petite female. ;) This blog has been such a help.My parents also wonder why I spend so much time and money on fashion, but it can be difficult to feel confident when you look young or sloppy.I've usually throw on a suit jacket over any outfit to make me look older. Also, wearing heels helps. Although I can't always wear heels on campus because of all the walking.I usually look about 16, but in heels people guess me age more around 18 or 19, which is an improvement. (I am 24).I love your blg and will be following along.

LOLI absolutely love this! And being Asian and having a similarly young face when I was at Grad school...I can definitely identify with this post! I had a good laugh and learned some useful tips, thanks ;)!!

This was exactly the same learning curve I went through! Except at 26 and working as a doctor, you get pretty tired when patients ask if I am 18, and their kids ask if I am 15! Have you got any advice on what to wear for a date/ evening dress? I am South Asian (Indian) at 5'1, skinny, flat-ish chest and long black hair. Also any tips for the hair style? Below shoulder length?

This is genius! Sometimes it's hard to see the effect certain pieces have until someone really points it out. Although I am not as petite as the poster who asked the original question (I'm 5'3") I do find that certain things make me look like a teenager again, especially as I generally use minimal make up and only wear heels on special occasions! Thank you so much! Your entire blog is wonderful!

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it's such an old post, and I regret I haven't come across it earlier. these tips are so helpful, but sometimes one wants to wear sneakers ;) and i I just lol'ed at your "ready to jump rope" picture, thank you

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! As a 5'0" 100 lb female graduate engineering student who works in a laboratory setting with only men, I encounter this problem daily! I can't wear heels or dress up everyday without being mocked for the sound my heels make or being gawked at for looking totally out of place. I've been looking for advice on this for years.. I can't wait to try out your suggestions! Thank you!

That's awful Kristin... :( Don't let a group of misogynistic jerks make you feel silly or wrong for wearing exactly what you want to wear and being as fabulous as you want! Just because they can't imagine that a woman can be smart and sexy or feel intimidated by it, they think they can mock you and make you feel ashamed and force you to dress in a way that makes them comfortable. I think that's just freaking wrong. Stand up for yourself and be proud of your femininity and your brains!

Love this post! I am about your size and 26 years old. I'm a pharmacist and my patients are alllllways telling me I look 16. It's been this way my entire life. I love your ideas here and am going to try to find a way to incorporate into my work clothes.

I am also a small framed little lady with asian ancestry, and as such I am so inspired by the magic you work with your style!

I am getting to that crossroads with my wardrobe where I want to look more mature and put together. I’m a musician, so for years and years my style has consisted of stretch jeans, or mini skirt, (altered/fitted) band shirts, and a hoodie. But now that I’ve crossed the threshold of 30, I feel comfortable with it being time for me to retire my punk mini skirts and move on to a more sophisticated pencil skirt. I can still look edgy while stepping up the class, right?

Your tips in this post are so great to keep in mind for that kind of style transition. It is all in the details! A little bit of makeup, careful attention to hair, and subtle changes in clothing choices (hoodie to cardigan/blazer), really makes all the difference. It’s also amazing how getting the right fit can take an outfit from frumpy to fabulous. I’m guilty of wearing things that just don’t fit right and my husband (lovingly) tells me I look like a hobo. It is just so hard to find clothes off the rack that fit my narrow shoulders and small frame without shopping in the kids/juniors section, and I’m too old for that. Although I do enjoy browsing Plato’s closet…

This post is perfect for me! I just graduated college and am currently looking for a job and looking old and professional has definitely been a challenge. I feel like people don't take me as seriously. I have a question..I'm 4'11" feet, 90lbs and I am really self conscious about my calves…they are 12" which is fine on tall person, but being so short they are gross! And because of it I have shyed away from tall heels..do you have any suggestions on what kind of shoe or other ways to make your calves look slimmer? Esp during the summer time when I wear more shorts and skirts and can't hide them in my jeans!

homepageThis post is perfect for me! I just graduated college and am currently looking for a job and looking old and professional has definitely been a challenge. I feel like people don't take me as seriously.

Could you do another post similar to this with more suggestions?? I celebrated my 25th birthday two weeks ago, and last week while sitting at my 18 year old brothers baseball game, all his teammates parents thought I was his adorable younger sister....

As a barely 4'11 90-something lb lady (half Korean and in the sciences too!)... I have had a print out of this post taped to the inside door of my closet since my last year of grad school 5 years ago. It has helped me immensely when I'm about to walk out of there with a t-shirt and cut offs draped over my arm so I have to ask myself, "Do you want to be carded again? This is how you get carded again." Your blog has been so useful and I cannot thank you enough!

as a 28 year old woman i found this article very helpful. i am a Norwegian with long dark hair and bright blue/gray eyes, 5'2 and extremely baby face. I get checked out by 16 years olds or 40 year olds, and i just want to be seen as pretty instead of oh so cute and pedo bait. so enough of this ranting and thanks for a great article, i already wear makeup, but i guess i should try a more adult style, although it would be very much out of my comfort zone to wear things like blazers and cardigans, so if anyone has a suggestion of what to wear that's not too dressy, i would like that.

Haha! I have the same problem. I often thought to be 13, 15 and on very good days 18. Recently someone special wanted me to look more grown up so I'm looking for ideas. These look awesome. Thanks :)I'm nearly 23 by the way and also do Science - Microbiology and Biochemistry. You've given me a fantastic idea of what to wear tomorrow! :D

My best advice is to search thrift and other second hand shops for more expensive brands that tend to read older, like Talbot's, Ann Taylor (not LOFT), various Nordstrom or Macy's brands. Not that you can't get great stuff at less expensive places, but these brands, while still stylish, will come off as older even if a very similar silhouette to what found in fast fashion shops.